Manifolding register and method



May 11', 1943.,

w. a. BORCHERS MANIFOLDING REGISTER AND METHOD Filed Sept. 28, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 S r 6. y Y R a E mam mm m 0 M m m .a w B W up 1943. w. G. BORCHERS MANIFOLDING REGISTER AND METHOD Filed Sept. 28, 1940 2 Sheets--She6t 2 INVENTOR William 6. 507140271? BY Ema 3 f Patented May 11, 1943 MAN-[FOLDING RE GISTER AND METHOD William G. Borchers, .Hoboken, N. J,, assignor to Autographic Register Company, Hoboken,"N. 'J., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 28, 1940, Serial No. 358,903

Claims.

Thepresent invention relates to manifolding.

In ,manifolding machines, :it :has been :customary to provide strip-advancing :means, such as a plurality-of feeddisks'cooperating with feed rollers, for .-'feeding a plurality of superposed form lengths of manifolding stationery rover aplaten, transfer sheets interleaved therewith permitting data inscribed .011 :the topmost sheet to be re- :cordedonztheunderlying strips. In orderto register the superposed Eform lengths of the :strips, feed-arresting form-registering apertures "were :rrovideddn ;the;s trip siin alignmentwith the feeding means2to1interrnpt advancement of the strips and to effect :Ifegistration thereof. Restarting means forrmoving said apertures beyond the bite of the feeding imeansawas also provided for :re- :suming advancement: of the strips.

"It'is often :desired :fO1.iI.6COI.d purposes to'trans- -fer only 'a portion of the data recorded on each form length of certaimof ithe :manifoldingstrips toone'or-more of the-underlying strips the la'tter :being known as summary strips. In general, as the otherstripaibearingthecomplete data, hereinafter called worksheet or detail strips, are advanced a form length at a time by the feeding mechanism, it is desired-to advance the summary strip by ;a smaller distance sufficient merely :to bring a fresh space below that portion :of the detail strips'which-is;provided for receivingthe data to be recorded'on the z-summarystrip. To avoid transfer of the remaining data inscribed onthe detail strips to the summary strip, the latter is generally separated from -its superposed transfer-sheet by a masking plate having an'aperture :inthe desiredpcsition for permitting said trans- .fer sheet to contact the summary strip over :a limited area, or else the transfer sheet is so shaped and located as to extend merely over the .desired pertion of the summary strip.

It antobiectof the present inventiontopro- *vide a imanifo'lding register having ,a -main feedin-g meanszadapted to advance a-plura1ityof detail strips form-length distances "and to-inter- .rupt theadvancement of said strips by entering feed-arresting, form-registering physical alterations therein during each form-length feeding operation 'for registering the superposed form lengths thereof, said register having also auxiliary means for engaging the detail strips as well as a summary strip, included therewith, for resuming advancement of the detailstrips to move the said feedearrest ng, form-registeringalteratlons beyondthe bite of the main feeding means, and simultaneously to advance the summary strip through-the desired-distance during each formlengthfeeding operation.

.In theform of the invention illustratedherein asexemplary thereof, feeding means for advancing aplurality of continuous superposed detail strips, cooperates with marginal physical alterations in each form length thereof to arrest the advancement of said strips during-each formlength feedingoperation, for registering the superposed form lengths before atransversesevering line between successive form lengths reaches reengagessaid strips-by the time the severing line reaches the severing station. The summary strip .is made sufiiciently narrow not to be engaged by the main feeding means butonly by the auxiliary feeding means which advances the summary strip through-the desired distanceand thedetailstrips simultaneously duringthe portion of the feeding operation in which the detail strips are advanced by the auxiliary feeding means.

The machinepreferably includes separate tensioning means-for each of the superposed strips, whereby the summary strip and each of the detail strips may ice-independently advanced by the said feeding means.

The use of the auxiliary feedingmeansto accomplish the dual function ofadvancing a summary strip as well as to resume advancementof superposed detail strips, permits the use o'f a summary strip without any'ad'ditional parts being required in th feeding mechanism and results in a simpler, cheaper, and more effective construction than any heretofore known.

Other features and advantages will appear hereinafter from the following description referring to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the invention, that at present preferred in which:

Figure 1 is a top or plan view of a manifolding machine according to the invention, with a number of superposed detail strips and a summary strip shown in their relative positions, portions of said strips and machine being cutaway to show the details of the underlying strips or mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the machine substantially along the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective of a portion of the feeding mechanism in its final position after feeding one form length of detail strips and after advancing the summary strip the desired distance, this being also the initial position for feeding the succeeding form length of manifolding stationery, the position of the latter being indicated by dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 3, but shows the relation of the feeding mechanism and the manifolding strips as advancement of the detail strips by a main feeding means is first halted during a form-length feeding operation for registration of said strips,

Fig. 5 is also similar to Fig. 3, but shows the relative position of the mechanism and manifolding stationary during advancement of the summary strip by the auxiliary feeding means, the latter having resumed and again interrupted advancement of the detail strips for accurately registering them, and the main feeding means having released said strips to permit registration thereof.

Fig. 6 is likewise similar to Fig. 3, but shows the position of the feeding mechanism during the concluding portion of the advancement of the summary strip by the auxiliary feeding means, the main feeding means being on the point of reengaging the detail strips.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in cross-section substantially along the line 22 of tensioning means for applying separate retarding tension to the superposed strips of manifolding stationery.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the manifolding register is shown as comprising a casing having a bottom wall It, side walls H, and front and rear end walls [2 and I3, inwardly extending vertical flanges I4 carried by a pair of vertical plates [5, inwardly spaced from the side walls at the front end of the register, forming a supply compartment l6 for receiving a pack I! of zigzag-folded multiple manifolding stationery, comprising a plurality of superposed detail strips 18.

In the upper portion of the supply compartment IS, a second zigzag folded pack I9 of a continuous summary strip 23, which is materially narrower than the detail strips, is carried by a horizontal plate 2| having lateral upturned flanges 22 for positioning said pack, said plate being supported at one end by ears 23 lanced from the plate l5 and at the other end by pins 24 carried by plates l5 and pivotally engaging flanges 22,

The detail strips 18 are successively led over a transverse guide roller 25 and a plurality of guide rollers 26, and the summary strip 20 is led over a similar roller 25a to a position overlying a platen 21. The summary strip forms the lowermost member of the superposed strips of manifolding stationery and is substantially cen trally positioned with respect to said detail strips [8 so that the margins of the latter extend beyond the edges of the summary strip. The platen 21 is pivotally attached by means of clips 28 to a transverse rod 29 and supported upon the upper edges of plates IS.

A plurality of transfer or carbon sheets I8a anchored by suitable means known in the art at the receiving end of the platen 21 are interleaved with the superposed detail and summary strips.

From the platen 21, the superposed strips l8 and 2|] pass through a feeding mechanism M at the delivery end of said platen. A deflector plate 33 ahead of the feed mechanism separates the detail strips l8 from the summary strip 20, the former passing outward above said deflector plate over the cover 3| of a record strip storage compartment 32 in front of the feed mechanism M, while the summary strip 20 is deflected downward below said plate into the record storage compartment where it is preferably refolded into a zigzag folded pack 33 as shown. The cover 3| is hinged at 34 to the front wall (2 of the casing so that it may be raised to permit removal of the pack 33 of the summary strip.

A cover or margin plate 35, having an inscription opening above the platen 2'! is hinged at 36 to the rear end wall 13 of the casing and extends over the feed mechanism M. In order to provide means for severing issued detail strips, the said margin plate or other part of the register is preferably provided with a tearing edge 31 in front of the feed mechanism above the deflector plate 30.

Tensioning means shown in detail in Fig. '7 is also provided to apply an equal frictional retarding tension to each of the manifolding strips I8 and 20, whereby the said strips may be moved independently of each other when engaged by the feeding mechanism. This means comprises a thin tension plate 38 loosely carried by each of the guide rollers 26 and extending for support a short distance over the receiving end of the platen 21. These tensioning plates are interleaved with the manifolding strips l8 and 20 and are compressed against the surface of the platen by a spring clip 39 secured to the lower surface of the cover plate 35.

For the purpose of preventing marginal alterations, shown as notches, in the detail strips from catching on the forward edges of the anchoring means of the transfer sheets [8a, a pair of flaps 40 of smooth fabric may be secured at each end to the rollers 26 and extend above and below the forward ends of each of the transfer sheets l8a. By this means, the said marginal al-' terations are prevented from catching on the said transfer sheets, insuring smooth advancement of the strips onto the platen.

The feed mechanism M is supported by a pair of vertical bearing plates 4| disposed adjacent either side of the casing. A rotary operating shaft 42 journaled in said plates extends through one side of the casing and carries a crank 43 adapted to be manually rotated by means of a handle 44. A roller shaft 45 is carried above the shaft 42 in vertical slotted extensions of said bearing plates. The operating shaft 42 carries a pair of main feed disks 46 adjacent said bearing plates and aligned with physical alterations in the detail strips 18 adjacent the margins thereof. Inwardly of the main feeding disks 46, the rotary shaft 42 carries a pair of auxiliary feed disks 41 for engaging the narrower summary strip 20 as well as the detail strip l8, said auxiliary feed disks being aligned with intramarginal apertures in the detail strips.

The roller shaft 45 carries a pair of frictional feed rollers 48 aligned with main feed disks 46 and a pair of inwardly spaced feed rollers 48' aligned with the auxiliary feed disks 41. The feed rollers may be suitably knurled as shown to increase the frictional engagement thereof with strips. The multiple detailzs'trips I'B areEpref'erinto the head for the succeeding "form length.

manifoldingstationery in :contact :themawith. "The :roller :shaft 45 r'isznormally urged adownward 1 by springs, not :shown, ibut well Ekn'OWn 'in the stationery inserted between them. Means, :not

shown, for releasably separating a'idxroll'ers and disks, including ithe lever :49, are provided in the manner known in the' art in order ito fa'cilitate threa'ding :of the m'anifolding stationery :through *the'feedingmeans. "The rotary 'shaft fl and the .roller 45 .are connected by gears "50 in :such a manner :as to a'enderithe peripheral spe'ed of 'disks lfi :and 4 the-same as that 'o'fithe rollers- 48 -an'dfi8' upon rotation :of the feeding mechanism. 1

The :detail strips 18 are divided into a series of form lengths by transverse lsevering 'lines 5| which-may be :conveniently weakened lbypertforations to Lfacilitate severing and folding of "the ablyffol'ded'into 'a zi'gzag folded .pack along said severing lines. 7 L Each form 'length of the idetail :strips'is pro- "Wi'ded with feed-arresting 'formmeg isterin'g a1 terations ra'djacent "the margins thereof. "These alterations are shown :as triangular notches 5-2,- the "forward edge of which "coincides with the severing line 5| ibe'tween each successive form; length and the 'tra'iling e'dge of which extends- Upon entering these notches, which are :l'ongi- -'tudinally :a ligned with fee'cl disks '46 and corre 'sponding rollers 48, the said 'feed disks :and xrollers, which constitute ith'e main feeding means;

become inoperative to advance the strips untilg "the "notches are moved "beyond the bite o f' the feeding means. Engagementf the feed disks and rollers with the n'otches tends"to .efiect regis-LJY tration of the superposed form 'lengths :of the strips,- *especially in "longitudinal direction. 1 As hereinbefore.statedflthe summary strip 20 isnarrower than the superposed detail strips1 8- :and is centrally positioned below 'the ilatter in such amanner zthat the summarystrip is not en1-- v gaged zby' the 'main *feed dis'ksufi :andacorresponding rollers 48, but by disposition of the "feed disks in such a "manner as to engage the -detai11 strips adjacent the margins 'thereof, :a relatively vvicle'summary stripmay'rbeused o'fsu'ch breadth;

that'it extends substantiallyto the limits crane writing space in the detail strip :form l'eng'ths. All o'f'the strips, 'however. are-*adapedto beengaged thy :a shoe 53 carried by the auxiliary "feed -disk 41 and corresponding ro'llers 18, said shoe;

and :roller constituting an .auxiliary feedingfh:

means, "the latter fe'edin'gm'eans :being space'd' ln- 1 "wardly'fromthema'in fee'ding rneans. "The aux *ili'ary feed "disks -"fl are -of sma1ler diameter than the main feed disks 16, 'but the ar'cuate feeding surface 53a of the "shoe 53 is' ad'apted in coopera-" tion with "the rcorrespondingroller -*4 8 "to'grip the j "superposed strips when said "shoe attains 'a 'pos'i 'tion directly below said roller. Thus during eachrevolution of the-operating shaft -12, *the ramziliary feeding means'is adapted to engage "the strips 18? and "20 only during passage of the arcuate *surfaces 53a, below ithealigned rollers 7-182 The summarystripifl contains"no' feemarresting alterations 'andthusis advanced a distance "intramarginal apertures"54,= thefeed disksbecome corresponding to 'the lengthof tl"1earcuate sur -70 via'ce "53a "for each revolution of the shaft 42." The *detail strips, however, .:are preferably pro-j v-ided with 'intram'arginal feed-arresting, 'form-"ij registering apertures i5'4 'ilongitudinally aligned with ithezaux'iliary feeding meansfiand disposed in finoperative to further advance the detail strips .il8,.;although -advancement of the summary strip iscontinued more -or less depending on the -ieng'th of the feeding surface of the disks 4''! wh i'ch may he.predetermined "in accordance with the 'l'en g' th 'of the desired summary feed.

"In order to permit entrance of the auxiliary feed disks 4'! into apertures '54 to interrupt advancement of the detail strips I8 "and to accurately-register the superposed form lengths of said strips th-e main "feed-disks 46 are provided "with --cutaway portions transversely aligned with the auxiliary -feeding shoes *53 in such a manner -that the main feeding disks 4% are incapableof-engagin'g the detail strips from the time the'feedshoes-5'3 initially engage the manifo'lding strips until after the feed shoes enter the apertures '54. Thus, as the auxiliary feeding means enters-said apertures, the detail strips =are releasedby--the=main feeding means and the superposed form lengths thereof are accurately registered in transverse and longitudinal direction b the auxiliary feeding means. This accurate registration occurs preferably just before the transverse severing line between successive form 'leng'ths attains the severing station 31. Hence as the-cutaway portions 55 are moved-beyond the rollers 48, the main feed disks 46 'reengage the'de'tail strips l8, notches 52 having hr-en advanced beyond the'bi'te of said disks "and rollers-and -the strips are moved forward by a. sma l! increment to bring a severing line 5| 'between "successive Torm lengths below the tearing edge il. A's-an issued'form length-oi the detail strips :fl' is "severed along the saidline, engagement o'f the disks 46 and rollers 48 with the strips prevents *disalignment of the succeeding "form leng-th positioned above the platen 21.

Releasable stop means are provided to arrest rotation of the feed mechanism automatically as the said severing line reaches said tearing edge. 'I-hesaid stop'means maybe of any suitable construction,vari'ous-formsof which are well 'knowninthe art.

The length-of eah form ofthe detail strips 18, as shown, "less than the 'operative peripheries "of themain feeddisks "4'6. "Thus, one-revolution of the operating shaft is-e'ifectiveto 'feed the *said stripshy one form length. Moreover, this "arrangement insures that advancement of the strips will be interrupted'byentry of the 'feed disks 46 into -n'o'tches 52 before the auxiliary feed afd-isks 41 Tbecome operative to resume the advancement.

Each form'lengthis provided with atransverse 'Space'asind cated at 56 in Fig. -'1 for recording a "summary of the transaction inscribed in detail on the remainder o'f" the detail strip form length. zfiorinstan'ce, as shown, said space may "include SUb'SpB-C'ESTfOI recording-the number ofthe ticket, tthezamountof asale, date, purchaser, and salesman. The "breadth of the summary space in longitudinal direction is equal to or less than'the "peripheral feeding surface 553a of the auxiliary ifeed disks fi. Thus, upon -'each revolution of the shaft 42'forpositioningranew formlength of the detail strips [8 tier inscription-above the platen ii, the summary strip .20 is a'dvanced by a distance equal to or greater than the breadth of the space 56 in the detail strip and as each transaction is recorded in said space, it is transferred to a fresh line of the summary strip 20 which is positioned below it.

In order to avoid transfer of the details of each transaction, which is recorded in the upper'portion of each form length of the detail strips, to the already inscribed portions of the underlying summary strip, the transfer sheet l8a between the said summary strip and the lowermost detail strip may terminate at the upper margin of the space 56, if the latter is at the lower end of the detail strip form length, when the said space occupies its normal position at the end of each form-length feeding operation. Otherwise, a suitably anchored masking plate having an aperture in a position corresponding to that occupied by the space 56 at the end of each form-length feeding operation may-be inserted between the summary strip 26 and the lowermost transfer strip l8a in the manner well known in the art. Obviously the consecutive form lengths of the summary strip 26 are not related to the transverse folds therein which are used merely.

to fold them into a zigzag pack IS. The alignment of the strip 20 is not controlled by feedarresting form-registering apertures.

Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive show the consecutive positions of a main feed disk 46 and an auxiliary feed disk 41 carried by the operating shaft 42, said disks being aligned respectively with feed rollers 48 and 48', and the relative positions of a summary strip 20 and superposed detail strips l8 during the feeding of one form length of the latter. Operation of the machine is as follows:

In Fig. 3, the detail strip is in its initial or final position for one form-feeding operation.

.The transversesevering line between successive form lengths 18b and l8c of the detail strips I8 is positioned below the tearing edge 31. The auxiliary feed disk 41 has advanced marginal notches 52 in the detail strips just beyond the bite of the feed disk 46 and corresponding roller 48 and has accurately aligned said strips by entering apertures 54 while the main feed disk 46 was inoperative to engage said strips because of cutaway portion 55, the auxiliary feed disk becoming inoperative thereafter to continue advancement of the detail strips. Cutaway portion 55 on disk 46 has moved just beyond the corresponding roller 48, so that the feeding surface of the main feeding disk 46 has just reengaged the detail strips l8 adjacent the margin to bring the severing line 5| to the tearing edge 31.

The summary strip 20 which is positioned below the detail strips and which is sufficiently narrower than the latter to avoid engagement by the main feed disks 46 has been advanced by a distance equal to the length of the feeding surface 53a of the shoe 53 and the latter is about to move beyond the corresponding roller 48' for releasing the summary strip. The advancement of the summary strip 20 has brought a fresh line thereof below the summary space 56 on the form length [80 of the detail strip in-the final position which it occupies. The automatic stop meanscooperating, for instance, with crank 43, has arrested rotation of the feeding mechanism.

Issued form lengths l8b of the detail strips may be torn off along tearing edge 31, if desired. for distribution. Form length I80 positioned above the platen 21 may be inscribed with details of the next transaction, the summary of the recordeddata being written in the space 56 provided therefor. As hereinbefore described, the latter data is transferred to the fresh space on the summary strip 20, while transfer of the detail record on the other portions of the detai strip to the underlying summary strip is avoided by limiting the length of the summary transfer sheet or by providing suitable masking means for the latter. 1 After-the inscription is complete, the crank 43 is rotated causing feed disk 46 and roller 48 to advance form length I80 through the feeding mechanism while summary strip 20 remains stationary, any tendency thereof to be moved by friction of the detail strips [8 being overcome by the tensioning means provided at the receiving end of the platen.

' However, as the main feed disk 46 and cooperating roller 48 enter notch 52 in form length 18d as shown in Fig. 4, the advancement of the detail strips is arrested and a degree of registration of the superposed form lengths thereof, especially in longitudinal direction, is effected. Upon continued rotation of the feeding means by the crank 43, cutaway portion 55 of the disk 46 moves below corresponding-roller 48 rendering the main feeding means inoperative to grip the detail strips l8. Meanwhile the shoe 53 car- "ried by auxiliary feed disk 41 and roller 48 have engaged detail strips I8 as well as summary strip 20, advancing all of the strips until said shoe enters aperture 54 in the form length lBdof the detail strips, as shown in Fig. 5. This advancement moves notch 52 beyond the bite of feed disk 46 while engagement of shoe 53 with apertures 54 again interrupts advancement of detail strips, accurately registering the superposed form lengths thereof in longitudinal as well as transverse direction.

Continued rotation of the feed mechanism to the position shown in Fig; 6 permits the de- "tail strips l8 to remain stationary, the main feed disks 46 being inoperative because of the cutaway portion 55,- and shoes 53 being inoperative-by reason of their engagement with aper- I-Iowever, advancement of the sumof the platen 21 preventing the detail strips 18 from being displaced by friction with the said summary strip.

As one revolution of the feeding mechanism is completed, shoe 53 completes the advancement of the summary strip 20,as it once more reaches the position shown in Fig. 3 while the main feed disk 46'reengages the following form length l8d of the detail strips as cutaway portion 55 -moves beyond the roller 48, the main feed disk -rn'oving the detail strips forward slightly to bring a severing line 5| below the severing station 31 on the machine. The automatic stop means, hereinbefore described, arrests motion "of the crank 43 as the revolution is completed and the issued form length I80 may be severed for distribution, while form length l8d and a I fresh line on the summary strip 26 are positioned above the platen 21 for inscription.

It is apparent that each revolution of the feeding mechanism advances the summary strip 26 into the storage compartment 32, below the deflector plate 30. Here, the said strip may be advantageously folded into a zigzag pile as shown.

Obviously, if desired, one or more of the detail strips I8 may also be fed below said deflector plate .and refolded into a separate pilein the storage c mpartment 32. n order to pr id a rec rd copy of each form length of the detail strips, suitable additional space being provided in said storage compartment for receiving said pile.

Since th auxiliary feed disks are arrested in the same position in each revolution by the automatic stop means and since said disks no lon er effect feeding of the detail strips after entering apertures 54, it is not essential that the feeding shoes 53 carried thereby should release the summary strip 20 at the end of each revolution of the operating shaft 42. In other words, it is immaterial whether each advancement of the summary .strip corresponding to advancement of the detail strips I8 2. form length at a time, should occur entirely during the latter part of saidformlength feeding operation, or partly at the beginning and partly at the conclusion thereof. ,It is merely necessary thatsome portion of the summary strip feeding operation should occur while the notch .52 is'positioned at the bite of the feeding means, in order that the auxiliary feeding means may also act as a restarting means for moving said notch beyond the bite of the main feeding means, thus enabling the latter to continue advancement of the detail strips.

The use of triangular marginal notches as feed-arresting form-registering alterations in the detail strips is preferred in View of the lesser number of dies required thereby in the manufac- I ture of the manifolding strips, resulting in amaterial saving. However, other kinds .of notches or apertures adjacent the margins of the detail strips may be used instead, provided that they lie beyond the limitsof the narrower summary Intramarginal apertures .54 .in the detai'lstrips I must fall within the limits .of the relatively narrower summary strip 20 used therewith in order that-the auxiliary feeding means may perform :its dual function of feeding the summary strip and accurately registering the detail strips.

Since the'bite of the main and auxiliary feeding means is transversely aligned across the :ma-

chine, the said intramarginal apertures in the detail strips must be positioned in each form length behind the marginal alterations :therein in order that the latter may be moved beyond the'bite of the main feeding means before the auxiliary feed.- "ing means becomes inoperative by reason of its entering the intramarginal apertures.

While the mechanism, as shown, is best adapted to feed one form length of the detail strips for each revolution thereof, the operative feeding peripheries of the main feedingdisks being greater'thana form length of the'manifolding station- 'ery, it ispossible to operate the machine with detail strips having form lengths exceeding the total peripheries of the main feed disks, more thanpne revolution of the feeding mechanism being then required for each form-length feeding operation. At the same time, the summary-strip is advanced by a multiple of the length of the arcuate feeding surface of th auxiliary feeding shoe"'53.

Variations and modifications may .be .made

within the scope of thisninventiop and'pgrtions f the m ovemen s ma be use w th u others- I c aim:

.In the a o feed g a p u li y o pe posed continuous m n d ng t p d v ded t ans ers l in o a series o orm en t s and havin fe resting megi er ng pe tures n e h f r eng o r a ma e 1in a mani olding register having a feeding means alignfid with said apertures, and cooperating therewith to arrestrth advancement of the strips to effect regison t f d r ng a h crmd hsth eedih ope-ratien, and having also summary strip feedingm-eans eperatedin timed relation with ,a main feeding :means, the improvement which compr ses copt e ine a at el we tin-uo um ar this g ther w h th tai st i s ve d p at n. h edges f the s mmary strip terminating short of said main feeding m ans. but a portion o said strip eing a ne with said summary strip feeding means, whereby h summar s i is a ced a pr d te d distance, less than a detail strip form length, solely by the summary strip feeding means during each detail strip form-length feeding operation and the detail strips are partially fed by said summary strip feeding means to advance the apertures therein out of feed arresting ,pgsi tion whereupon the main feed is operative to advance said detail -strip.

2. The method of feeding a pile f continuous ma oldi e m t a nclu ng sup r osed rec- 0rd strips divided into form lengths anda surnmar-y strip divided into lengths less than a form length "d spo at the bottom of the p e nd having its ,margins inwardly displaced from the m rgins o the record s ip co prisin irictiq ally feeding e e o str ps a d t nc equa to the difference between a form length pfithe r co d s ip and a en h o h summ zg st ip and rendering said feed inoperative "to advance the record strips, and engaging the pile inter; me ia e he ma g of he smnmarv-st p w th uxi arrfri i h e d nememhe and eedin t e r co and summar i -ins a idist we ca a i ct cns ho t e sum ryrst ip to 4 0mmm th eed here and DI th arm length o z ee d s ri a d re dcr h h f ct cha v. le "t e e o d rip p r tive a a n adranceisa d r cord stri m h d o f eding pile pf whim-hens manifolding material including superposed rec.- .c-rcl str s hav n mar ina f e.d-arrcs i;n fer rc s i s a e u s at pres rema ned i tervals .th cal ng nd a summary stri disp sed, t-the bottomthe pi a d lecat d atera y etweeh ih aner ures, compr sing en agi g the of the :reco ds s b tatable rrictien, i is me i a iem h wit t e a er u 9- :tating sa d feedin mea s to advance the rega d tri s u ti the f ng means n ers-the apertures to st pthe f ed e eo and re is er the.

st ps iandi uhs eu h ly mo ing a summa rs ip t ding mean h in e ect ve fee Hal-t9 h -lchstho h summar rs ri nto with th s m ar st i toadrancc th s mmary strip a d r cord t ip a di anc (w c stumcient t com let the -.ad ahc 9f th str p and move the recor strin ri t f ma ldies m te a i r. 9rd ,SlZfiPS- UWQ Q i o I; g mereinalfscd-ar e tin arme e-hc he arresting form-registering apertures at 'for'mlength intervals therealong and a summary strip divided into lengths less than a form length disposed at the bottom of the pile and located laterally between the notches, comprising engaging the marginsof the record strips by rotatable frictional feeding means in alignment with the notches, rotating said feeding means to advance the record strips until the feeding means enters the notches to stop the feed thereof and register the'strips, and moving a summary strip feeding member disposed in alignment with the intramarginal apertures and having a feeding face equal to the length of the movement of the summary strip into engagement with the summary strip-to advance the summary strip and record strips a distance which is sufiicient to complete the advance of the summary strip and move the record strips into a position to be again frictionally engaged by the first-mentioned feeding means so as to resume feed of the record strips, the summary strip feeding member cooperating with the intramarginal apertures in the record strips to again register said strips prior to said resumption of feed thereof.

5. The method of feeding a pile of continuous manifolding material including superposed record strips divided into form lengths and a summary strip divided into lengths less than a form length disposed at the bottom of the pile and having its margins inwardly displaced from-the margins of the record strips by a feedingmeans adapted to advance the strips a form length for each operation thereof comprising engaging and frictionally feeding the record strips alone for a distance equal to the difference between a form length of the record strip and rendering the feeding means inoperative to advance the record strips prior to a complete feeding operation; and subsequently engaging the bottom of the pile intermediate the margins of the summary strip, during continued operation of the feeding means, with an auxiliary feeding member having an effective feeding action equal to the length of the summary strip and frictionally advancing the summary strip and also the superposedrec ord strips a distance sufiicient to complete the advance of both strips and again' render the frictional feeding of the recordstrips operative to advance the record strips alone upon the next operationof the feeding means.

6. In a manifolding register, a supply of stationery comprising a plurality of superposed. continuous strips, certain of said strips having feedarresting, form-registering physical alterations at predetermined intervals and being divided into a series of form lengths by transverse severing lines, and at least one of said strips being comparatively narrow and terminating short of said alterations in transverse direction; a platen for supporting said superposed strips; a main feeding means includinga drive shaft positioned adjacent the platen and aligned with said physical alterations-for advancing the first-named strips over said platen and cooperating with said alterations to interrupt advancement of said physically altered strips during each form-length feeding operation for registering the superposed form lengths of said strips; and means mounted on said shaft between the edges of said narrow strip and separate from said first-named feeding means for feeding said narrow strip independently of said other strips a distance less than a form length, said means having 'a feeding surface of a length corresponding to theextent of feed required by said narrow strip to enga'g and frictionally feed said strip and being disposed on the shaft in relation to said first-named feeding means as to also move'said first strips to bring the alterations beyond the main feeding means and resume the feed thereby. vI 1 '7. In a manifolding register, a supply of sta-" tionery comprising a plurality of superposed continuous strips, certain of said strips having feedarresting, form-registering physical alterations at predetermined intervals and being divided into a series of form lengths by transverse severing lines, and at least one other of said strips being comparatively narrow and terminating short of said alterations in transverse direction; a platen for supporting said strips; 'tensioning means for separately applying equal retarding tension to each of the superposed strips whereby one or more of said strips may be moved independently of the others; a main feeding means for advancing the first-named strips over said platen, said meansbeing aligned with said physical alterations and cooperating therewith to interrupt advancement of said physically altered strips during each form-length feeding operation for registering the superposed form lengths of said strips;

and feeding means for said other strip having a feeding surface engaging and advancing the other strip over said platen a predetermined distance, less than a form length of the physically altered strips and simultaneously advancing the physically altered strips to move said alterations beyond the main feeding means, whereupon the main feeding means again feeds the physically altered strips independently of said other strip.

8. In a manifolding register, a supply of stationery comprising a plurality of superposed continuous manifolding strips, the upper strips being transversely divided into a series of form lengths and having marginal and intramarginal feed-arresting, form-registering apertures in each form length, and the'lowermost strip being relatively. narrower than the upper strips and terminating transversely short of said marginal apertures, but extending over the intramarginal apertures; a platen for supporting the strips; 9. main feeding means comprising'a pair of feed disks carried by a rotary shaft for advancing the upper strips over the platen, said feed'disks being aligned with said marginal apertures and cooperating therewith to interrupt strip advancement during each form-length feeding operation to align the superposed form lengths of said upper strips before a severing line between successive form lengths reaches a predetermined position on the machine; and means on the rotary shaft for engaging said lowermost strip comprising a feeding shoe having a strip-engaging face of a length coextensive with the movement of said lowermost strip for advancing it a predetermined distance less than a form length for each rotation of the said shaft and for advancing all of said upper strips to move the marginal apertures thereof beyond the bite of the main feeding means, said shoe being carried 'by said shaft in alignment with the intramarginal apertures in the upper strips and cooperating with the intramarginal apertures thereof to interrupt advancement of the upper strips a second time during each form-length feeding operation for accurately registering the form lengths of the upper strips in transverse and longitudinal direction, the disks of said main feeding means having cutaway portions for temporarily releasing the .upper strips during. engagement of the lastnamed means with said intramarginal apertures in the upper strips.

9. In a manifolding register, a supply of stationery comprising a plurality of superposed continuous detail strips transversely divided into a series of form lengths and having feed-arresting, form-registering apertures at the lateral margins thereof at form-length intervals and a relatively narrower summary strip disposed below said detail strips, terminating just short of said marginal alterations in transverse direction, and being substantially coextensive in breadth with the writing space of the detail strips; a platen for supporting said stationery; a main feeding means for advancing the detail strips a form length at a time over said platen, said means engaging the detail strips adjacent the margins thereof in alignment with said apertures, and cooperating with the latter to interrupt strip advancement during each form-length feeding operation for registering the superposed form lengths of the detail strips; and a starter member mounted on the main feeding means and positioned inwardly of the main feeding means for engaging the lowermost or summary strip to advance the detail strips to move the apertures therein beyond the main feeding means whereby the main feeding means again becomes operative to move said detail strips relatively to said summary strip during the remaining portion of the form-length feeding operation, said starter member having a feeding surface equal to the length of feed of said summary strip to feed said strip a predetermined distance less than a detail strip form length during each form-length feeding operation and being the sole means for advancing said summary strip.

10. In a manifolding register, a supply of stationery comprising a plurality of superposed continuous manifolding strips, the upper strips being transversely divided into a series of form lengths and having marginal and intramarginal feed-arresting, form-registering apertures in each form length, and the lowermost strip being relatively narrower than the upper strips and terminating transversely short of said marginal apertures, but extending over the intramarginal apertures; a platen for supporting the strips; a main feeding means comprising a pair of feed disks carried by a rotary shaft for advancing the upper strips over the platen, said feed disks being aligned with said marginal apertures and cooperating therewith to interrupt strip advancement during each form-length feeding operation to align the superposed form lengths of said upper strips before a severing line between successive form lengths reaches a predetermined position on the machine; and restarter means on the rotary shaft comprising a feed shoe for engaging the lowermost strip to advance all of the upper strips beyond the bite of the main feeding means and being carried by said shaft in alignment with the intramarginal apertures in the upper strips and cooperating with the intramarginal apertures thereof to interrupt advancement of the upper strips a second time during each form-length feeding operation for accurately registering the form lengths of the upper strips in transverse and longitudinal direction, the disks of said main feeding means having cutaway portions for temporarily releasing the upper strips during engagement of theilast-named means with said intramarginal apertures in the upper strips, said shoe having a strip-engaging face of a length coextensive with the required movement of the lowermost strip and advancing the same a predetermined distance less than a form length for each rotation of the shaft.

WILLIAM G. BORCHERS. 

